HARTFORD ACCIDENT & INDEMNITY CO., et al, Appellants-Defendants,
v.
DANA CORPORATION, Appellee-Plaintiff.
No. 49A02-9602-CV-110.
Court of Appeals of Indiana.
December 12, 1997. Transfer Denied May 1, 1998.*287 Philip C. Stahl, Katherine E. Rakowsky, Margaret B. Jones, Grippo & Elden, Chicago, IL, Bruce L. Kamplain, Norris, Choplin & Schroeder, Indianapolis, John H. Douglas, Smith, Maley & Douglas, Indianapolis, James P. Schaller, Richard J. Defeo, Mark A. Goodin, Jackson & Campbell, P.C., Washington, DC, for Appellants-Defendants.
George M. Plews, Jeffrey D. Claflin, Frederick D. Emhardt, Plews Shadley Racher & Braun, Indianapolis, for Appellee-Plaintiff.
*288 Eugene R. Anderson, John A. MacDonald, Paul W. Kisslinger, Anderson Kill & Olick, P.C., New York City, Larry A. Vanore, Sommer & Barnard, Indianapolis, Lee B. McTurnan, Steven M. Badger, McTurnan & Turner, Indianapolis, Laura A. Foggan, Lon A. Berk, Scott S. Harris, Wiley, Rein & Fielding, Washington, DC, for Amici Curiae.
*286 OPINION
CHEZEM, Judge.
Case Summary
Appellants-Defendants, American Insurance Company, Associated Indemnity Corporation and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, (collectively "Fireman's Fund"), and Granite State Insurance Company, Lexington Insurance Company, and National Union Fire Insurance Company, (collectively "Granite State") appeal from the trial court's grant of partial summary judgment in favor of Appellee-Plaintiff, Dana Corporation ("Dana"). We affirm.
Issues
Fireman's Fund raises five issues[1] for our review which we restate as:
I. Whether the trial court properly applied Indiana law;
II. Whether Dana designated sufficient facts to support summary judgment;
III. Whether the trial court properly concluded that the policy term "suit" applies to administrative proceedings;
IV. Whether the trial court properly concluded that the policy term "damages" includes environmental cleanup and response costs; and
V. Whether the trial court properly found that Fireman's Fund has a duty to defend Dana.
Facts and Procedural History
The designated evidence shows that Dana is a manufacturer of automotive components with facilities across the United States and worldwide. Dana has obtained both primary and excess comprehensive general liability ("CGL") insurance coverage for its operations from a variety of insurers. Prior to 1947, Dana's primary CGL insurer was Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company ("Hartford"). Fireman's Fund was Dana's primary CGL insurer from 1947 to 1957. From 1957 to 1963, Dana obtained primary CGL coverage from Associated Indemnity Corporation and from 1963 to 1969, American Insurance Company was Dana's primary CGL insurer. From 1969 to 1978, Dana's primary CGL coverage was obtained from Associated Indemnity Corporation, and since 1978, Hartford was again Dana's primary CGL insurer.[2] In addition, Dana obtained excess or umbrella CGL coverage from a multitude of other insurers, including Granite State.
Sixty-three of Dana's facilities, located in nineteen states, have become the subject of various governmental agency or third party actions regarding alleged environmental contamination. Dana has made claims for coverage under its CGL insurance policies and has been denied coverage for the most part. As a result, Dana filed suit against fifty-six insurers seeking a declaration that it is entitled to indemnification and defense under its primary, umbrella, and excess CGL insurance policies. Fireman's Fund filed a counterclaim against Dana and a cross-claim against Hartford for declaratory relief and contribution. The trial court issued a Case Management Plan and Order establishing that Phase I would involve contract interpretation.
Dana filed a motion for partial summary judgment against Fireman's Fund seeking to establish the meaning of certain policy terms, to require Fireman's Fund to defend, and to obtain reimbursement of damages and legal expenses already incurred. Granite State filed a cross-motion for partial summary judgment. The trial court granted Dana's motion and entered findings of fact and conclusions of law, in part, as follows:
*289 A. Undisputed Facts
1. ... Dana is a Virginia corporation headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. Twenty-five of Dana's plants and facilities are located in the state of Indiana; no other state is home to more Dana facilities and plants. Dana also employs over 6,000 people in this State, far more than it employs in any other state. Indiana is the home of approximately 20 percent of Dana's United States work force. Based on these facts and on the number or amount of plants, divisions, employees, sales, payroll, square footage of plants, and other criteria, Dana's operations have been centered in Indiana more than in any other state since at least 1963. These factors are important because they demonstrate that Dana's insured risk, completely separate from the location of the waste sites, has been centered in Indiana for many years. Moreover, Dana's premiums paid by Dana were based on sales; more sales are generated by Dana's Indiana facilities than those in any other state. Ohio, which state's law the insurers would have this Court apply, is far behind Indiana in all of these criteria and is not even second in most.
2. Fireman's Fund is a California corporation with its principal place of business in California. Its excess or umbrella insurers on the Dana policies are located throughout the United States.
3. Dana is allegedly liable for environmental contamination at a number of sites across the country.... Fifteen of those sitesnearly one-fourth of the total and substantially more than in any other stateare located in Indiana.
....
5. The contracts of insurance relevant to this case were issued by Fireman's from its Detroit, Michigan, office. The contracts were primarily negotiated at the office of Marsh & McLennanDana's insurance brokerlocated in Michigan.
6. The "insuring agreements" in all these policies are standard insurance industry forms using "form" language. The earlier policies provided in relevant part that Fireman's would:
pay on behalf of the insured all sums which the insured shall become legally obligated to pay as damages because of injury to or destruction of property, including the loss of use thereof, caused by accident.
(Emphasis added). Further:
With respect to such insurance as is afforded by this policy, the Company shall:
(a) defend any suit against the insured alleging such injury, sickness, disease or destruction and seeking damages on account thereof, even if such suit is groundless, false or fraudulent; but the Company may make such investigation, negotiation and settlement of any claim or suit as it deems expedient.
(Emphasis added). The later policies stated in relevant part that:
The company will pay on behalf of the insured all sums which the insured shall become legally obligated to pay as damages because of
Coverage Abodily injury or
Coverage Bproperty damage to which this insurance applies, caused by an occurrence, and the company shall have the right and duty to defend any suit against the insured seeking damages on account of such bodily injury or property damage, even if any of the allegations of the suit are groundless, false or fraudulent, and may make such investigation and settlement of any claim or suit as it deems expedient, but the company shall not be obligated to pay any claim or judgment or to defend any suit after the applicable limit of the company's liability has been exhausted by payment of judgments or settlements.
(original boldface).
7. At several of the 63 sites, third parties or governmental entities have filed actions against Dana in courthouse lawsuits to recover their costs incurred, or to compel Dana to participate, in the cleanup of the alleged contamination. At other sites third parties or government entities are pursuing Dana for the same kind of relief, *290 but through administrative rather than judicial actions.
....
B. Conclusions of Law
1. ... [T]he Court finds that Indiana law applies to this dispute.
....
6. Under § 188 [of the Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws], the place of contracting in this case is Michigan; the place of negotiation is Michigan; the primary place of performancewhere the insurance money will be put to useis Indiana; the primary location of the insured riskbased on the fact that Dana's operations have clearly been centered in Indiana throughout the policy periods here at issue and because nearly one-fourth of all the cleanup sites are located in this Stateis Indiana; and the domicile of the parties is indeterminate. In sum, two of these factors point to Michigan, while two of the factorsincluding the most important, location of the insured riskpoint to Indiana. As between Indiana and Ohio (or any other state), the § 188 factors require the Court to apply Indiana law in this case.
....
10. The parties agree and this Court holds that the law of one state should be applied in this case. Applying the law of a single state would foster judicial economy, predictability and uniformity.
....
ORDER
....
2. Dana's motion for partial summary judgment on the meaning of "suit" and "damages" is GRANTED. In addition to traditional judicial actions, "suit" includes any coercive environmental administrative proceeding, including the following:
unilateral orders alleging liability for and demanding the cleanup of a site, issued under § 106 of CERCLA (42 U.S.C. § 9606) or analogous state statutes;
demands alleging liability for and seeking payment of costs incurred by the agency for the cleanup of the site, issued under § 107 of CERCLA (42 U.S.C. § 9607) or analogous state statutes;
non-CERCLA demands by state or federal authorities in the form of a Notice of Violation or similar notice requiring site cleanups as part of ongoing compliance with state or federal environmental law;
offers of settlement alleging liability and seeking either cost recovery or the cleanup of a contaminated site under § 122(e) (42 U.S.C. § 9622(e)) of CERCLA or analogous state statutes;
information requests about alleged involvement, coupled with specific allegations of liability, under § 104(e) of CERCLA (42 U.S.C. § 9604(e)) or analogous state statutes;
"voluntary" cleanup of a site by the policyholder in nominal cooperation with a governmental entity, but under explicit or implicit threat of a formal enforcement action.
3. "Damages" includes environmental cleanup and response costs, whether such costs are incurred by a governmental entity or third party seeking contribution or cost recovery from Dana or incurred directly by Dana as a result of any judicial or administrative proceeding against it.
4. Fireman's shall tender to Dana a defense in all pending "suits" and shall immediately reimburse Dana for defense costs incurred at each of the sites where there is or has been a "suit" as that term has been defined by this Order.
5. [Granite State's] cross-motion for summary judgment is DENIED.
(R. 1128-50) (citations omitted). Both Fireman's Fund and Granite State appeal.
Discussion and Decision
When reviewing a grant of summary judgment, we use the same standard as the trial court: whether the pleadings and evidence demonstrate that there are no genuine issues of material fact and that the nonmoving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Miller v. Memorial Hosp. of South Bend, 679 N.E.2d 1329, 1330 (Ind. *291 1997). We construe the pleadings, affidavits, and designated materials in a light most favorable to the nonmovant and give careful scrutiny to assure that the losing party is not improperly prevented from having its day in court. Id. (citation omitted).
The fact that the parties make cross-motions for summary judgment does not alter our standard of review. Instead, we must consider each motion separately to determine whether the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Hendricks County Bank & Trust Co. v. Guthrie Building Materials, 663 N.E.2d 1180, 1183 (Ind. Ct.App.1996), trans. denied.
I.
Indiana's choice of law rule for actions on contract calls for applying the law of the forum with the most intimate contacts to the facts. Dohm & Nelke v. Wilson Foods Corp., 531 N.E.2d 512, 513 (Ind.Ct.App.1988). The court will consider all acts of the parties touching the transaction in relation to the several states involved and will apply as the law governing the transaction the law of that state with which the facts are in most intimate contact. W.H. Barber Co. v. Hughes, 223 Ind. 570, 63 N.E.2d 417, 423 (1945). Indiana follows the approach formulated by the Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws. See Eby v. York-Division, Borg-Warner, 455 N.E.2d 623, 626 (Ind.Ct.App. 1983); Utopia Coach Corp. v. Weatherwax, 177 Ind.App. 321, 379 N.E.2d 518, 522 (1978). In the absence of an effective choice of law by the parties, the contacts to be taken into account include:
(a) the place of contracting,
(b) the place of negotiation of the contract,
(c) the place of performance,
(d) the location of the subject matter of the contract, and
(e) the domicil, residence, nationality, place of incorporation and place of business of the parties.
Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 188 (1971). In addition,
[t]he validity of a contract of fire, surety or casualty insurance and the rights created thereby are determined by the local law of the state which the parties understood was to be the principal location of the insured risk during the term of the policy.
Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 193 (1971) (emphasis added).
The trial court found that the place of contracting was Michigan, the place of negotiation was Michigan, the place of performance was Indiana, the location of the subject matter/risk was Indiana, and the domicile of the parties was indeterminate. The court concluded that the location of the insured risk was the most important contact and accordingly applied Indiana law. Fireman's Fund argues that the trial court erred in its conclusions regarding the contacts included in § 188 and also erred in applying § 193 to this case. Fireman's Fund contends that Ohio substantive law should be applied to this case.
"[B]efore entangling itself in messy issues of conflict of laws a court ought to satisfy itself that there actually is a difference between the relevant laws of the different states." Barron v. Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd., 965 F.2d 195, 197 (7th Cir. 1992), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 1001, 113 S. Ct. 605, 121 L. Ed. 2d 541 (1992). If the purposes and policies of two potential rules are the same, the forum should apply the forum law. Lutz v. DeMars, 559 N.E.2d 1194, 1196 n. 1 (Ind.Ct.App.1990), trans. denied.
The two substantive issues before us today, the meaning of CGL policy terms "suit" and "as damages," are questions of first impression in Indiana. However, Ohio courts have addressed both of these issues.[3] In Professional Rental, Inc. v. Shelby Ins. Co., 75 Ohio App. 3d 365, 599 N.E.2d 423 (1991), the term "suit" was found to be susceptible to more than one meaning and thus construed in favor of the insured. "The junction where environmental law meets insurance law is an inappropriate place to erect an inflexible rule requiring the initiation of a *292 traditional lawsuit as a condition precedent to the insurer's obligation to defend." Id., 599 N.E.2d at 428. In that case, however, the court held that an agency notification regarding potential liability was merely a claim, and unless followed by an administrative order imposing liability, was not the functional equivalent of a suit. Id. at 430. In Sanborn Plastics Corp. v. St. Paul Fire and Marine Ins. Co., 84 Ohio App. 3d 302, 616 N.E.2d 988 (1993), the Ohio court concluded that costs for environmental cleanup constituted "damages" even though such costs may be restitutional, or equitable, in nature. Also, in Morton Int'l, Inc. v. Harbor Ins. Co., 79 Ohio App. 3d 183, 607 N.E.2d 28 (1992), the court held that settlement payments for environmental damage constituted sums payable as "damages."
While the absence of precedent in Indiana on these issues does not necessarily mean that a conflict of law exists, there are other issues in the litigation between these parties where Indiana and Ohio case law differ.[4] The various policies purchased by Dana include exclusions for pollution related claims.[5] Similar exclusions have been the subject of numerous cases nationwide. Our supreme court, in American States Ins. Co. v. Kiger, 662 N.E.2d 945 (Ind.1996), held that the term "sudden" used in the standard pollution exclusion clause was ambiguous in that it could mean "unexpected" as well as "abrupt." Under this interpretation, the clause would not exclude from coverage discharges which were unexpected or unintended. By contrast, the Ohio Supreme Court, in Hybud Equipment Corp. v. Sphere Drake Ins. Co., Ltd., 64 Ohio St. 3d 657, 597 N.E.2d 1096 (1992), cert. denied, 507 U.S. 987, 113 S. Ct. 1585, 123 L. Ed. 2d 152 (1993), held that the term "sudden," used in the standard pollution exclusion clause, was unambiguous and must have a temporal aspect, as in "abrupt." As such, the exclusion does not apply to gradual or long term discharges of pollution. Thus, for purposes of the present case, the laws of Indiana and Ohio significantly differ, necessitating a choice of law decision.
Fireman's Fund argues that because Dana's primary place of business is in Ohio, the place of contracting and the place of negotiation should point to Ohio. In addition, because the premiums were paid from Ohio and notification of claims came from Ohio, Fireman's Fund contends that the place of performance of the contracts was Ohio, citing Pennington v. American Family Ins. Group, 626 N.E.2d 461 (Ind.Ct.App. 1993). In Pennington, another panel of this court held that "[i]n conflict of law cases involving the interpretation of insurance contracts, the law of the state where the contract is executed controls. An insurance contract is executed in the state where application is made, the premium is paid and the policy is delivered." Id. at 465 (citing Travelers Ins. Co. v. Eviston, 110 Ind.App. 143, 152, 37 N.E.2d 310, 313 (1941)).
Our supreme court, however, modified the traditional choice-of-law rule relied upon in Eviston in W.H. Barber Co. v. Hughes, 223 Ind. 570, 63 N.E.2d 417, 423 (1945). See Hubbard Mfg. Co., Inc. v. Greeson, 515 N.E.2d 1071, 1073 (Ind.1987). "Judge Richman in Barber stated, `A contract is deemed to have been made in the state where the last act necessary to make it a binding agreement takes place,' not that the law of the place of contracting controls." Suyemasa v. Myers, 420 N.E.2d 1334, 1343 (Ind.Ct.App.1981) (citation omitted) (internal quotation marks omitted) (emphasis added). "Indiana does not follow the lex loci contractus approach to determine ... which forum's substantive law is applicable." Id. at 1344. In light of Barber, Hubbard, and Suyemasa, we decline to follow Pennington's holding that the law of the place of contracting controls. Accord *293 Schaffert v. Jackson Nat'l Life Ins. Co., 687 N.E.2d 230, 232-33 n. 1 (Ind.Ct.App.1997).
Fireman's Fund makes much of the fact that its policies were "obtained in accordance with the countersignature laws and regulations of [Ohio] for the portion of the risk located in [Ohio]," (R. 221), in support of its argument that the place of contracting was Ohio. The countersignatures, however, were primarily those of the insurer's authorized agent, located in Michigan, with whom Dana negotiated for the policies. We conclude that the place of contracting is indeterminate, favoring neither Ohio nor Michigan. Moreover, "[s]tanding alone, the place of contracting is a relatively insignificant contact." Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 188 cmt. e. (1971).
Fireman's Fund concedes that the place of negotiation was Michigan. (R. 1377). The place of negotiation, however, "is of less importance when there is no one single place of negotiation as ... when the parties do not meet but rather conduct their negotiations from separate states by mail or telephone." Id.
Fireman's Fund argues, without authority, that the place of performance of the contracts is Ohio because that is the location from which Dana paid premiums and sent notices relative to the policies. Dana counters that the trial court correctly found that the place of performance is the location where the insurance funds will be put to use. We agree with the analysis of the trial court. See Morton, 607 N.E.2d at 34 (holding that the location of a waste-disposal facility, where the insured was liable for cleanup costs, was the place of performance of the liability policy). We also agree with Fireman's Fund that until all coverage issues have been decided for all sites involved, place of performance cannot be determined. Certainly, "the place of performance can bear little weight in the choice of the applicable law when ... at the time of contracting it is either uncertain or unknown." Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 188 cmt. e. (1971).
Dana is a Virginia corporation headquartered in Ohio. Fireman's Fund is a California corporation headquartered in the same state. We agree with the trial court that the place of domicil of the parties for choice of law purposes is indeterminate.[6]
The last § 188 factor for us to consider is the location of subject matter of the contract or, as phrased in § 193, the principal location of the insured risk.
The location of the insured risk will be given greater weight than any other single contact in determining the state of the applicable law provided that the risk can be located, at least principally, in a single state. Situations ... where the location of the risk has less significance[ ] include ... where the policy covers a group of risks that are scattered throughout two or more states.
Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 193 cmt. b (1971). The Restatement approach to a multiple risk policy is to treat the case "as if it involved [multiple] policies, each insuring an individual risk." Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 193 cmt. f.
Courts have followed one of two approaches when confronted with CGL coverage of multi-state claims. "Under the uniform-contract-interpretation approach, the law of a single forum governs the interpretation of coverage under a casualty-insurance policy for multi-state claims arising from environmental damage in multiple jurisdictions." Gilbert Spruance Co. v. Pennsylvania Mfrs. Ass'n Ins. Co., 134 N.J. 96, 629 A.2d 885, 889 (1993). "The site-specific[-interpretation approach] provides that a casualty-insurance policy should be interpreted under the substantive law of the state that the parties understood to be the principal location of the insured risk," with the result that more than one body of law will apply to a single contract. Id., 629 A.2d at 891. The *294 parties have argued before the trial court and before us that, in the interest of judicial efficiency, the law of a single state should be applied.
Fireman's Fund contends that the contact primarily relied upon by the trial court, the location of the insured risk, should be accorded less weight because the risks were scattered in several states. See Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 193 cmt. b. Yet, if the Restatement approach is to apply the law of a single state where the risk is principally located in one state, it would follow that applying the uniform-contract-interpretation approach requires us to determine the state where the risk is principally located, even though some of the risk is scattered in other states. Because the other § 188 factors do not point primarily to one forum, we conclude that the location of the subject matter/risk should be accorded greater significance.
Although Dana's sites are scattered to a degree, they are nonetheless principally located in Indiana. As such, the principal location of the insured risk is Indiana. We hold that the trial court properly concluded that the law of Indiana applies to this case.[7]
II.
Fireman's Fund complains that Dana failed to designate sufficient facts in support of its motion for partial summary judgment. It contends that there is a complete absence in the record of any evidence as to the nature of the proceedings against Dana and the costs which Dana has incurred. See Ind.Trial Rule 56(C). Fireman's Fund's argument fails to acknowledge that the trial court's case management order provided for the discovery of site-specific information in a later phase.[8] Phase I of the order, of which the partial summary judgment before us is only the beginning, was meant to determine the meaning of various policy terms, not to determine the full extent of coverage. As such, complete information regarding the proceedings against Dana is unnecessary. See Eli Lilly and Co. v. Home Ins. Co., 482 N.E.2d 467, 470 (Ind.1985) (answering certified question from federal court regarding CGL policy "trigger" and concluding that extrinsic evidence was not necessary to interpret policy), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1060, 107 S. Ct. 940, 93 L. Ed. 2d 990, 991 (1987); Plumlee v. Monroe Guaranty Ins. Co., 655 N.E.2d 350, 359 (Ind.Ct.App.1995) (stating that summary judgment can be granted where a "contract ambiguity, if one exists, can be resolved without the aid of a factual determination"), trans. denied. By comparison, declaratory judgment is appropriate to construe a contract even in the absence of a breach. Ind. Code § 34-4-10-3. We conclude that Dana's designated evidence is sufficient to meet its burden of demonstrating that there is no genuine issue of material fact before this court.[9]
III.
Fireman's Fund next argues that the trial court improperly concluded that various administrative proceedings against Dana are within the meaning of the policy term "suit." Fireman's Fund's policies obligate it to defend any suit against Dana. As noted above, the meaning of the term "suit" is a question of first impression in Indiana.[10]
*295 First we must determine whether the term "suit," as used here, is unambiguous. If the policy language is clear and unambiguous, it should be given its plain and ordinary meaning. Eli Lilly, 482 N.E.2d at 470. Under Indiana law, an insurance policy is ambiguous if reasonable persons may honestly differ as to the meaning of the policy language. Id. Where there is ambiguity, insurance policies are to be construed strictly against the insurer. Kiger, 662 N.E.2d at 947. An ambiguity does not exist simply because a controversy exists between the parties, each favoring an interpretation contrary to the other. Linder v. Ticor Title Ins. Co. of California, 647 N.E.2d 37, 39 (Ind.Ct. App.1995).
Both parties cite cases from other jurisdictions for various propositions: 1) that the term "suit" is unambiguous and includes administrative proceedings;[11] 2) that the term "suit" is unambiguous and includes only courthouse lawsuits;[12] and 3) that the term "suit" is ambiguous and is therefore to be construed against the insurer.[13] Our review of these and other cases reveals that the majority of courts adopt a broad meaning for the term.
As to the question of ambiguity, some courts hold that a difference of opinion among courts of various jurisdictions establishes conclusively that a particular clause is ambiguous, while others hold that it merely constitutes evidence of ambiguity. See Charles C. Marvel, Annotation, Division of Opinion Among Judges on Same Court or Among Other Courts or Jurisdictions Considering Same Question, as Evidence that Particular Clause of Insurance Policy is Ambiguous, 4 A.L.R. 4th 1253 (1981). We conclude that the division of authority on this issue is instructive and is evidence that more than one reasonable interpretation of the term "suit" is possible. See Indiana Ins. Co. v. O.K. Transport, Inc., 587 N.E.2d 129, 132 (Ind.Ct.App.1992), trans. denied. A commonly cited definition of "suit" is "the attempt to gain an end by legal process." Webster's Third New International Dictionary 2286 (1976). Such a definition is not limited to traditional courthouse lawsuits. Alternatively, Black's defines "suit" as
[a] generic term, of comprehensive signification, and applies to any proceeding by one person or persons against another or others in a court of justice in which the plaintiff pursues, in such court, the remedy which the law affords him for the redress of an injury or the enforcement of a right, whether at law or in equity.
Black's Law Dictionary (5th ed. 1979). In light of these reasonable, but differing definitions, we conclude that the term "suit" as used in Fireman's Fund's CGL policies is ambiguous.
*296 Fireman's Fund argues that such a conclusion would render meaningless the distinction in its policies between "suit" and "claim." We agree that a suit is more than a claim, but this result does not mean that every claim is a suit. After finding the term "suit" ambiguous, the next step is to determine which proceedings are suits. To facilitate this, some background information on agency proceedings is necessary.
In the federal arena, the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") is statutorily authorized to enforce remediation of environmental pollution. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ("CERCLA") provides several ways for the EPA to accomplish its objectives. 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq. CERCLA empowers the EPA to unilaterally order responsible parties to undertake cleanup efforts, 42 U.S.C. § 9606(a) (hereinafter "§ 106(a)"), or to respond to contamination and then shift liability for "response costs" to those parties responsible, 42 U.S.C. § 9607 (hereinafter "§ 107").
Typically, the agency's first allegation of liability for environmental contamination is made by identifying a person or entity as a potentially responsible person ("PRP"). The PRP notification usually requests voluntary remediation and settlement negotiations between all PRPs. 42 U.S.C. § 9622(e) (hereinafter "§ 122(e)").
Although the EPA designates recipients as "potentially responsible parties," it is not the equivalent of a conventional demand letter or a simple accusation of fault. First, EPA notifications are sent after the EPA has established that "there is sufficient evidence to make a preliminary determination of potential liability under section 107 of CERCLA." Second, parties who are simply "identified" as responsible under Section 107(a) are strictly liable, regardless of fault.
Professional Rental, Inc., 599 N.E.2d at 429 (citation omitted). The PRP letter usually requests participants to submit to the EPA a proposal for remedial action. "If the PRP does not respond to this invitation, CERCLA Section 106(a) authorizes the EPA to issue an administrative order to compel a responsible party to clean up a site." Id. at 428. Failure to comply with a § 106 order subjects the PRP to a fine of $25,000.00 per day. 42 U.S.C. § 9606(b)(1). Alternatively, under § 106(a), the EPA may seek an injunction in federal district court to compel cleanup by the PRP, also subject to a $25,000.00 per day fine.
As part of its enforcement efforts, the EPA may, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 9604 (hereinafter "§ 104"), demand information or documents relative to a release or threat of release of pollutants. Failure to comply with such an order will subject a party to a $25,000.00 per day fine. Moreover, failure to comply with a § 104 or § 106 order will subject a liable party to treble damages. 42 U.S.C. § 9607(c)(3). Even a failure to negotiate in good faith is cause for the EPA to commence action under §§ 104(a) or 106.
"[T]o find agency conduct to have created a suit ... there must be some cognizable degree of coerciveness or adversariness [sic] in the administrative body's actions." Ryan, 916 F.2d at 738. "[C]ase after case insists that, shy of an actual suit, a substantial entry-level burden must be carried before the duty to defend under a CGL policy arises. Most of the cases describe the entry-level burden in terms of coerciveness." Id. "Since the law holds PRPs to so strict a liability standard, the degree of compulsion the government wields in pursuing an insured seems an apt proxy for measuring factual expectancy according to the actual probability and immediacy of toxic waste liability." Id. at 741. We agree with those courts which have found coercive and adversarial administrative proceedings to be "suits." To decide otherwise would encourage insureds to not cooperate with governmental agencies, thus running the risk of huge fines, punitive damages, and delay in remediating environmental pollution. Accordingly, we hold that § 104 requests coupled with a specific allegation of liability, § 106 orders, § 107 demands, and § 122(e) offers, as well as analogous proceedings by state and local agencies, are "suits," triggering Fireman's Fund's duty to defend. Less coercive actions, however, do not rise to the level of "suit." These would include mere *297 notification or investigation when no enforcement action is contemplated. Cf. Lapham-Hickey Steel Corp., 211 Ill.Dec. at 461, 655 N.E.2d at 844.
IV.
Fireman's Fund next contends that the trial court improperly concluded that environmental cleanup and response costs[14] are included in the policy term "damages." Fireman's Fund's policies obligate it to pay on behalf of Dana any damages because of property damage. As already noted, the meaning of the term "damages," in the context of a CGL policy, is a question of first impression in Indiana.[15]
As with the term "suit," we must determine whether the term "damages" is unambiguous. Both parties cite cases holding that the term: 1) is unambiguous and includes environmental cleanup and response costs;[16] 2) is unambiguous and excludes equitable remedies;[17] and 3) is ambiguous and therefore to be construed against the insurer.[18]See generally Carol A. Crocca, Annotation, Liability Insurance Coverage for Violations of Antipollution Laws, 87 A.L.R. 4th 444 (1991). The division of authority on this issue is evidence that more than one reasonable interpretation of the term "damages" is possible. Several courts cite the definition of "damages" as "the estimated reparation in money for detriment or injury sustained." Webster's Third New International Dictionary 571 (1976).
In contrast, Fireman's Fund urges that the unambiguous meaning of "damages" is limited to legal damages, that is, compensation awarded at law to a third party.[19] Black's defines "damages" as "[a] pecuniary compensation or indemnity, which may be recovered in the courts by any person who has suffered loss, detriment, or injury." Black's Law Dictionary (5th ed. 1979). In light of these reasonable but differing definitions, we conclude that the term "damages" *298 as used in Fireman's Fund's CGL policies is ambiguous. If an insurer intends that "damages" have only a limited technical meaning to exclude equitable relief, it should so indicate in its policy. We conclude that the "ordinary meaning of `damages' is so broad that it encompasses ... environmental response costs." Farmland, 941 S.W.2d at 511.
Fireman's Fund claims that such an interpretation would render the term "damages" meaningless and require it to pay any amount for which Dana became obligated, for whatever reason. We disagree. Fireman's Fund would not be required to reimburse an insured for fines and penalties, for example. See id. The insurers also contend that preventive measures such as containment costs, where no environmental contamination has yet occurred, are not damages. The cost of containment as a remedial action taken to prevent further release of hazardous substances would be considered damages. See 42 U.S.C. § 9601(24). Yet, whether or not containment costs constitute damages necessarily also involves other policy terms ("injury to or destruction of property") and exclusions ("property owned by the insured"). We leave to the trial court the task of determining which costs associated with the cleanup of polluted sites will be covered.
Fireman's Fund also argues that CERCLA itself distinguishes between damages and response costs.[20] The insurers "incorrectly assume that CERCLA's definition of the term `damages' governs the interpretation of that term in an insurance policy." Farmland, 941 S.W.2d at 512. Moreover, CERCLA was enacted in 1980, after the policies at issue here had been written, and after Fireman's Fund had ceased to be Dana's primary CGL insurer.
We hold that the ordinary meaning of the term "damages" in a CGL policy includes EPA or state-mandated cleanup and response costs, and that the trial court properly so concluded.
V.
Fireman's Fund argues that the trial court erred in ordering it to tender a defense to Dana for all "suits" as defined by the court's order, and claims that such order was premature in light of other issues remaining between the parties. Fireman's Fund sets forth several arguments in support, all of which Dana disputes. We find, however, that resolution of this issue is unnecessary. On April 10, 1996, the trial court issued a stay of the portion of its order requiring Fireman's Fund to tender a defense "until the disposition of Fireman's Fund's appeal." (R. 2283). Furthermore, on June 28, 1996, Dana filed a motion for summary judgment "for reimbursement of its past defense costs and for an order requiring Fireman's Fund to defend." (R. 2284). This issue is not now before us.
We affirm the judgment of the trial court in all respects.
RILEY and KIRSCH, JJ., concur.
NOTES
[1] Because Granite State's arguments do not substantially differ from Fireman's Fund's, we will not generally differentiate between these appellants in our discussion.
[2] Hartford entered into a settlement agreement with Dana, leaving Fireman's Fund as the only primary CGL insurer in the case.
[3] None of the parties contends that the law of any other state should be applied to this case. Although several of Dana's environmental cleanup sites are located in Michigan, and that state has some contacts with this case, neither party advocates that the law of Michigan should apply.
[4] The trial court's Case Management Plan and Order mentions several of these issues. (R. 2266-81).
[5] One policy reads: "This insurance does not apply ... to bodily injury or property damage arising out of the discharge, dispersal, release or escape of smoke, vapors, soot, fumes, acids, alkalis, toxic chemicals, liquids or gases, waste materials or other irritants, contaminants or pollutants into or upon land, the atmosphere or any water course or body of water; but this exclusion does not apply if such discharge, dispersal, release or escape is sudden and accidental." (R. 471).
[6] Granite State cites Eli Lilly and Co. v. Home Ins. Co., 764 F.2d 876 (D.C.Cir.1985) for the proposition that an insured's place of business and place of incorporation constitute a strong interest in choosing that state's law. In Eli Lilly, however, the insurers did not dispute the choice of law. Id. at 882. In addition, because Dana's place of business and place of incorporation are in different states, Eli Lilly is inapposite.
[7] Following oral argument in this case, Dana filed a motion to supplement the record, submitting documents regarding estimated damages for various sites. Because these documents do not disclose "what occurred in the trial court," Ind. Appellate Rule 7.2(C), we deny Dana's motion.
[8] Dana prepared a set of "site notebooks," which describe proceedings against Dana at the various sites, describe the nature of the alleged environmental contamination at each site, and list Dana's actual and projected costs. These notebooks, prepared in accordance with the case management order, were filed as a supplemental designation of evidence in support of Dana's motion for partial summary judgment. Although the trial court granted Fireman's Fund's motion to strike the site notebooks as untimely filed, Dana later designated the site notebooks as evidence in opposition to Granite State's cross-motion.
[9] Following oral argument in this case, Dana filed its "suggestion" that this issue is moot, attaching the trial court's August 20, 1997 order. This 165 page order includes findings and conclusions regarding Fireman's Fund's duty to defend and duty to indemnify as to each specific site. In light of our conclusion on this issue, we need not address Dana's "suggestion."
[10] Both Dana and Fireman's Fund cite conflicting Indiana circuit court decisions on this issue. "[A] conclusion of law by a circuit court in a case from which no appeal has been taken is not binding precedent upon this court." Indiana Dep't of Natural Resources v. United Minerals, Inc., 686 N.E.2d 851, 857 (Ind.Ct.App.1997), trans. pending. "Counsel are admonished that, just as it is inappropriate to cite memorandum decisions of this court as precedent (Ind.Appellate Rule 15(A)(3)), it is similarly inappropriate to cite trial court decisions." Id. at 857, n. 1.
[11] E.g., Aetna Casualty and Surety Co. v. Pintlar Corp., 948 F.2d 1507 (9th Cir.1991) (applying Idaho law); Ryan v. Royal Ins. Co., 916 F.2d 731 (1st Cir.1990) (applying New York law); Avondale Indus., Inc. v. Travelers Indem. Co., 887 F.2d 1200 (2nd Cir.1989) (applying New York law), cert. denied, 496 U.S. 906, 110 S. Ct. 2588, 110 L. Ed. 2d 269 (1990); SCSC Corp. v. Allied Mut. Ins. Co., 536 N.W.2d 305 (Minn.1995); Coakley v. Maine Bonding and Casualty Co., 136 N.H. 402, 618 A.2d 777 (1993); Hazen Paper Co. v. United States Fidelity and Guaranty Co., 407 Mass. 689, 555 N.E.2d 576 (1990); Minnesota Mining and Mfg. Co. v. Travelers Indemnity Co., 457 N.W.2d 175 (Minn.1990); C.D. Spangler Constr. Co. v. Industrial Crankshaft and Eng'g Co., 326 N.C. 133, 388 S.E.2d 557 (1990).
[12] E.g., Aetna Casualty and Surety Co. v. General Dynamics Corp., 968 F.2d 707 (8th Cir.1992) (applying Missouri law); Lapham-Hickey Steel Corp. v. Protection Mut. Ins. Co., 166 Ill. 2d 520, 211 Ill. Dec. 459, 655 N.E.2d 842 (1995); City of Edgerton v. General Casualty Co. of Wisconsin, 184 Wis. 2d 750, 517 N.W.2d 463 (1994), cert. denied, 514 U.S. 1017, 115 S. Ct. 1360, 131 L. Ed. 2d 217 (1995); Patrons Oxford Mut. Ins. Co. v. Marois, 573 A.2d 16 (Me.1990).
[13] E.g., Anderson Development Co. v. Travelers Indem. Co., 49 F.3d 1128 (6th Cir.1995) (applying Michigan law); Michigan Millers Mut. Ins. Co. v. Bronson Plating Co., 445 Mich. 558, 519 N.W.2d 864 (1994); A.Y. McDonald Indus., Inc. v. Insurance Co. of N. America, 475 N.W.2d 607 (Iowa 1991).
[14] CERCLA establishes liability for and provides for the recovery of:
(A) all costs of removal or remedial action incurred by the United States Government or a State ...;
(B) any other necessary costs of response incurred by any other person ...;
(C) damages for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources, including the reasonable costs of assessing such injury, destruction, or loss resulting from such a release; and
(D) the costs of any health assessment or health effects study....
42 U.S.C. § 9607(a)(4).
[15] See supra note 10 regarding citation of circuit court decisions.
[16] E.g., Bituminous Cas. Corp. v. Vacuum Tanks, Inc., 75 F.3d 1048 (5th Cir.1996) (applying Texas law); Pintlar Corp., 948 F.2d at 1513 (applying Idaho law); Gerrish Corp. v. Universal Underwriters Ins. Co., 947 F.2d 1023, 1030 (2nd Cir.1991) (applying Vermont law), cert. denied 504 U.S. 973, 112 S. Ct. 2939, 119 L. Ed. 2d 564 (1992); Avondale Indus. Inc., 887 F.2d at 1207 (applying New York law), cert. denied 496 U.S. 906, 110 S. Ct. 2588, 110 L. Ed. 2d 269 (1990); Farmland Indus., Inc. v. Republic Ins. Co., 941 S.W.2d 505 (Mo.1997); SCSC Corp., 536 N.W.2d at 315 (Minnesota); Weyerhaeuser Co. v. Aetna Casualty & Sur. Co., 123 Wash.2d 891, 874 P.2d 142 (1994); Coakley, 618 A.2d at 785 (New Hampshire); Outboard Marine Corp. v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 154 Ill. 2d 90, 180 Ill. Dec. 691, 702, 607 N.E.2d 1204, 1215 (1992); Boeing Co. v. Aetna Casualty & Sur. Co., 113 Wash.2d 869, 784 P.2d 507 (1990).
[17] E.g., Cincinnati Ins. Co. v. Milliken and Co., 857 F.2d 979 (4th Cir.1988) (applying South Carolina law); Continental Ins. Cos. v. Northeastern Pharmaceutical & Chem. Co., Inc., 842 F.2d 977 (8th Cir.1988) (applying Missouri law), cert. denied 488 U.S. 821, 109 S. Ct. 66, 102 L. Ed. 2d 43 (1988); City of Edgerton, 517 N.W.2d at 479 (Wisconsin), cert. denied 514 U.S. 1017, 115 S. Ct. 1360, 131 L. Ed. 2d 217 (1995); Marois, 573 A.2d at 19-20 (Maine).
[18] E.g., Lindsay Mfg. Co. v. Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co., 118 F.3d 1263 (8th Cir.1997) (applying Nebraska law); Intel Corp. v. Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co., 952 F.2d 1551 (9th Cir.1991) (applying California law); New Castle County v. Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co., 933 F.2d 1162 (3rd Cir.1991) (applying Delaware law); A.Y. McDonald, 475 N.W.2d at 622 (Iowa); C.D. Spangler Constr. Co., 388 S.E.2d at 569 (North Carolina); Minnesota Mining and Mfg. Co., 457 N.W.2d at 179 (Minnesota); AIU Ins. Co. v. Superior Court, 51 Cal. 3d 807, 274 Cal. Rptr. 820, 799 P.2d 1253 (1990); Hazen, 555 N.E.2d at 583 (Massachusetts).
[19] We find the distinction between legal and equitable remedies unpersuasive in this context. "Equity courts possess discretionary power to award damages in order to do complete justice." W & W Equip. Co. v. Mink, 568 N.E.2d 564, 577 n. 1 (Ind.Ct.App.1991), trans. denied.
[20] See supra note 16.